Course Case Mapping For Quantitative Methods

While some business schools have Quantitative Methods as a prerequisite course, many business schools offer Quantitative Methods as a regular course during the first semester. Titled differently as, Statistics For Business, Business Statistics, Business Mathematics, Quantitative Methods for Managers and Decision Science For Decision Makers, this course endeavors to introduce the MBA graduates to basic quantitative approaches / techniques that are widely used in the later semesters' courses. IBSCDC's Course Case Map on Quantitative Methods offers a rich collection of case studies that can be effectively used in all the concepts.

Chapter : Basic Concepts of Scales & Measurements

Chapter : Basic Concepts of Scales & Measurements

Session: 1Key Concepts: ScalesCase Study: College Canteen’s Decreasing Beverages’ Sales: Analysis DilemmasAbstracts: Meant for ‘Scales of Measurement’, this case study presents Raghu’s analysis dilemma, the owner-manager of Matrix canteen, which sells various fast food items and beverages. Over the last few months however, he witnessed a steady drop in beverages’ sales. Based on his experience, he took all the measures, however, sales did not improve. Ramesh, Raghu’s friend, advised him to do an analysis of the buying habits and spending patterns of the customers. Raghu is confused about how should he go about getting the required data that would help him in finding answers to his dilemma and relation between: (a) age and gender (b) Impressions on the service offered by canteen employees (c) Preference for beverages and (d) Amount spent on drinks. This case study is used: (1) To understand the concept and practical applications of scales of measurement; (2) To discuss the implications of scales in Quantitative Methods/Statistics for Management.

Session: 2Key Concepts: Central Tendencies and DispersionCase Study: Mattel’s Global Expansion: Analysing Growth TrendsAbstracts: This case study is useful for understanding ‘measures of central tendencies & dispersion in decision making’. Mattel is the world’s largest toy manufacturer. Its best known brands in the industry include Barbie, Matchbox, Fisher-Price and Hot Wheels. Through its focused localised international strategy, in recent years the company has increased its revenues from its international operations. If Mattel wants to sustain its success, what should it do? Which brand should it focus more on? Which brand of Mattel has more variation in its sales over the years? Which brand shows good average sales over the years? Based on the past growth trends, how will Mattel’s sales be in the next year? Students are asked to analyse the data using central tendencies and dispersion. Thus it is used to discuss the implications of measures of central tendencies and dispersion.

Chapter : Micro Environment

Session: 3Key Concepts: Basics of Probability & Binomial DistributionCase Study: Dilemma of a Sales ExecutiveAbstracts: The case details a decision problem of a sales executive, Jaffer. He is an excellent employee in meeting his targets. He was given a chance to boost his professional career by giving a presentation to his fellow executives in Bangalore. As Jaffer would not like to miss the target, he would go to Bangalore, only if he is confident of completing the target. Therefore, Jaffer needs to compute the probability that no more than one day is lost in the remaining 29 days due to any of the reasons, and if this probability is sufficiently large, he may decide to accept the invitation. This case study introduces the method of structuring a problem in terms of identifying the decision problem(s), the alternatives, the uncertainties and choosing an alternative with the help of a well defined criterion. After introducing the basic concepts of Probability Theory, it is useful to demonstrate the use of Binomial distribution in resolving complex problems under uncertainty.

Session: 4Case Study: Students’ Educational Loans: Bank Manager’s Dilemmas on Repayment ProbabilitiesAbstracts: This case study helps understand the concept of probability and its practical applications in business situations. Every year, banks extend educational loans to various professional courses and the students repay the loans after being employed. However, year 2009 is not ‘as usual’ for Pinto. Sensitizing him to the economic crisis and the accompanying liquidity crisis, his immediate boss, the regional manager, cautioned him on the repayment probabilities of the students. What if this situation persists for a long time and the students do not get meaningful employment? He came up with various scenarios and he is confused about what is the probability of each of the events occurring? Thus the case study explains different ways of calculating probabilities.

Session: 5Key Concepts: Bayes’ TheoremCase Study: Priya’s Probability of Getting into a B-SchoolAbstracts: This case study is written for understanding the conditional probability concept covering primarily the Bayes Theorem. This case study, written from generalised experiences, revolves around a student seeking admission into one of the top-tier, ranked business schools in the country. Fortunately for Priya (the student seeking MBA admission) the business school rankings are available for the last few years including the current year. Unfortunately, the business school rankings were done by different agencies and therefore different business schools were ranked differently by different agencies.Priya tries to analyse these rankings to get admission in any one of them. Students can be asked to evaluate the chances of Priya getting admission into one of the business schools, using the concept of probability and Bayes Theorem. Thus this case study is used to understand the concept of Conditional probability and Bayes’ Theorem & its scope of business applications.

Session: 6Key Concepts: Types of SamplingCase Study: Customer Satisfaction with DTH Services in IndiaAbstracts: This case study is meant for students pursuing course in Quantitative Methods. The case study gives information on the evolution of DTH services in India. It details the surveys conducted by the operators in various situations. The case primarily focuses on how these surveys were conducted using different types of sampling. This case is useful in understanding the concept of Sampling in detail and the application of various types of sampling.

Session: 7Key Concepts: Population and Samples, Parameters and StatisticsCase Study: Ascertaining Customer SatisfactionAbstracts: This case study explores different types of sampling methods. Sakuma India, an FMCG player, wants to assess its customers’ satisfaction through a survey after launching a new product line. The marketing members of Sakuma discuss and suggest ways to conduct the survey. Each way has its own merits and demerits. The final question is – which method should Sakuma adopt? Thus the case study helps to analyse the issues to be considered in the process of selecting the sampling. It also gives scope to discuss the merits and demerits of various sampling methods.

Session: 8Key Concepts: Sampling Distributions, Standard ErrorsCase Study: Swarnamukhi Public Bank Limited’s SME LoansAbstracts: Swarnamukhi Public Bank Limited, one of the rural banks in India, gives loans to Medium and Small Enterprises (MSEs). The bank is worried as the default rate may go up (among the MSEs) because of the recent economic recession. Based on the past data and assumption, the regional manager of the bank tries to estimate the chances of certain proportion of loan takers, who will not make payments. The case study is used to understand Binomial Probabilities and its Normal approximation. It also gives scope to explain different ways of calculating probabilities using Sampling Distribution.

Chapter : Estimation & Testing of Hypotheses

Chapter : Estimation & Testing of Hypotheses

Detailed Syllabus: Basic Concepts, Type I and Type II Errors, One Tailed and Two Tailed Tests, One Sample Tests, Hypothesis Testing of Means when Population Standard Derivation is Known and when Unknown, Hypothesis Testing of Proportions for Large Samples. Two Sample Tests for Equality of Means for Large and Small Samples, Equality of Means for Dependant Samples, Difference between Proportions for Large Samples

Session: 9Key Concepts: Hypothesis Testing – One Sample TestCase Study: Smoking: A Costly Affair Now?Abstracts: This case study examines the trend in people’s smoking habit. Because of anti-smoking activists and increasing health-consciousness, many countries increased their tax on cigarettes and few imposed ban on smoking. Some argue that these regulations reduce the number of smokers. However, few oppose this argument. The case ends with a question – observed decrease in proportion of smokers is significant or not. The case study is used: (1)To discuss the testing of hypothesis; (2) To understand the ways to select the right test to examine the hypothesis; (3) To understand the concepts of Sample size and level of Significance and (4) To test the hypothesis and to draw inference.

Session: 10Case Study: Conversys Inc.Abstracts: The case details the performance evaluation methods of a call centre company Conversys Inc. Very soon after its inception in July 2000, Conversys became one of the most reputed call centres in Hyderabad, India. The case ends with the dilemma of one of its unit managers, Amit Vardhan, whether one of his subordinate should undergo further training for improving the performance. The case study is used: (1)To understand the concept of type I and type II errors in hypothesis testing; (2) To be able to compute the probability of committing type I and type II errors along with the concept of power of test; (3) To understand the concept of one sample hypothesis testing of means; (4) To understand the concept of paired t-test i.e., hypothesis test of difference of means for dependent samples; and (5) To understand the concept of hypothesis test for difference of means for independent samples.

Session: 11Case Study: Honda Motor CompanyAbstracts: Useful for Testing of Hypothesis. Honda ranked highest in a customer satisfaction survey in 2009 for its after sales service and for being one-stop shop for all accessories (dealership store). However, in the used-car consumers’ customer satisfaction survey, it ranked only fifth. Meanwhile, after the launch of its new car Jazz, Honda claims that more than 80% of its customers are highly satisfied. But few analysts did not agree with that. The case ends with a doubt on this estimation. The case study helps students understand the concepts of sample size and level of Significance.

Session: 12Case Study: The Strategic Break: To Be or Not to BeAbstracts: With lot of controversies and issues, Indian premier League’s T20 world cup event was held in South Africa recently. In that, the head Lalit Modi introduced an innovative ‘Strategic Break’ in between the innings. Again it attracted many controversies. Moreover, players also argued that it hampers the momentum of the match. However, Lalit gave reply that it is not an innovative break. It is adopted from other games like Basketball events. The case ends with a question – Can Modi reach to a conclusion whether the players’ claim that the strategic break hampers the momentum of the game is correct or not? The case study gives scope for discussing the testing of hypothesis and drawing of inferences.

Chapter : Chi-square

Chapter : Chi-square

Session: 13Key Concepts: Chi Square Test of Independence, Proportions and Goodness of FitCase Study: “Melting Delicacies” Ice Cream Parlour ChainAbstracts: The case study revolves around an young entrepreneur, Maria Fernandez, who had taken a franchise for a retail ice-cream chain “Melting delicacies”. The popularity of this chain of outlets had grown tremendously over the past one year because of its varieties of flavoured ice-creams at reasonable price. However, there was an increase of competition as many new chains entered the market. At this point, Maria felt that knowing answers to certain ground realities on trends, patterns, associations of the product and the consumers was essential for right decisions on inventory planning, etc. The case study is used to understand Chi square test of goodness of fit. It also gives scope to discuss Chi Square test of independence of attributes (Chi square test for association) with notional understanding of why correlation cannot be used in these situations

Session: 14Case Study: A Study of Soap Segment in Indian FMCG MarketAbstracts: The case study is meant for Chi Square Analysis. The case study through a research study analyses the overall effect of various sales promotion techniques on consumer buying behaviour. It examined the perception of customers on sales promotion and also the differential effect of the two types of sales promotions namely, cash discount and free gift on the perceptions of the customers. The research revealed that all the sales promotional measures aim at building product awareness, creating interest in the product, stimulating demand by convincing the customers and reinforcing the brand to get loyal customers. The case study ends with the conclusion that the consumers prefer mainly cash discounts rather than any other type of promotional techniques like buy-one-get-one-free, contests and lucky draws as well as the surprise gifts and gift hampers.

Chapter : ANOVA

Chapter : ANOVA

Detailed Syllabus: Analysis of Variance (One Way ANOVA): Test for Equality of Means. Inference about a population variance and about two population variances

Session: 15Key Concepts: ANOVACase Study: Global Centre for Case Studies (GCCS)Abstracts: This case study is meant for discussing, ANOVA technique, which is used to identify the differences among the means of sample from the same population. This case study presents an interesting issue in this regard. Established in 2000, the Global Centre for Case Studies (GCCS) strived towards delivering high-quality case studies in the field of business management. Under the leadership of its director, John Fredrick, GCCS has emerged as a result-oriented organisation. In 2008, with the aim of making the organisation a one-stop destination for all management related case studies, the top management at GCCS decided to add five new teams. Further, to avoid performance related issues, the top management hired new team leaders and team members with relevant domain knowledge and experience. Contrary to expectations, these new teams were constantly struggling with problems. There was an argument that because of the variation in the training methods, the performance has varied. John was wondering whether there will be a difference between the training methods. This case study is meant to discuss the applications of ANOVA.

Detailed Syllabus: Bivariate analysis-bivariate correlation and regression, Coefficient of determination, assumptions in the regression model, tests of significance for correlation and regression coefficients. Multiple Regression: Regression with two or more explanatory variables, including dummy exploratory variables

Session: 16Key Concepts: Regression AnalysisCase Study: Boosting Sales of Double Bull?Abstracts: The case study mainly deals with the problem Double Bull, a cola-maker, was facing because of its slow rate of growth in its sales in South India. The case concentrates on the use of regression analysis in drawing conclusions from the sales data available. The case study is used to understand the concept of Bivariate Analysis. It is also used to analyse:

Session: 17Case Study: Planning for Road SafetyAbstracts: The case study discusses the matter of increasing number of fatal accidents in the Ivory city in the last few years. It mainly concentrates on the variables, which significantly describe the variability in the number of accidents. The case study’s main objective is to help students understand Bivariate Regression with a dummy variable.

Session: 18Key Concepts: Time Series AnalysisCase Study: The Electric Fan IndustryAbstracts: This case study is meant for Time Series Analysis. Using the monthly production data (from April 2000 to March 2008) for Electrical Fan Industry in India, the case brings out the approach to study trend, seasonality and cyclicality, and their application in short-term forecasting. This case study is used to understand and analyse Trend, Seasonality, Cyclicality and Irregular Components of a Time Series. It is also used to compute Short-term Forecasting based on a study of these components.

Chapter : Decision Analysis

Chapter : Decision Analysis

Session: 19Key Concepts: Decision Tree AnalysisCase Study: Kumar Construction Company – Bidding Decision AnalysisAbstracts: The case revolves around Kumar Construction Company, a construction company based in India. It is deliberating on whether it should bid for one or both the contracts, which are on offer from a government department of Andhra Pradesh for the construction of roads in Bowenpally area in Hyderabad. However, the company is worried about the profit it has to make if it bids for any of these contracts. The case explores on the use of Decision Tree Analysis in deciding whether it should bid for a single contract or both the contracts. It is also used to explain different ways of calculating EMVs for different contracts.

Session: 20Case Study: Mining for Precious MetalsAbstracts: The case study helps to understand the concept of Decision Tree Analysis. National Mineral Corporation (NMC), a leading metal exploration company, which finds out sites where potential sources of metals are present. Before starting actual explorations, the company buys a small area of land for their trials. An officer at National Mineral Corporation (NMC) has to decide whether he should opt for a 3-day test exploration or not. The case study is used to discuss how Decision Tree Analysis can be used in practical implications.

Session: 21Key Concepts: Linear Programming ProblemCase Study: Akshara Toys LimitedAbstracts: This case allows exposition to Linear Programming (LP) as well as addresses capital budgeting issues. It details an entrepreneur – Deepika Jain’s (Deepika) operations issue of optimal utilisation of resources in her company, Akshara Toys Limited (Akshara). This case helps students to understand the LP model and its business applications as well as how to use LP model for decision dilemmas.

Session: 22Case Study: ‘Health is Wealth’Abstracts: Kher & Associates, located in Navi Mumbai, is a hospitality firm specialising in nutrition diets. Arjun Kher (Kher), the CEO of the firm, recently came across the possibility of getting an order to supply food items to athletes in the forthcoming Asian games. The diet he has to provide should be balanced and nutritious. Even the cost has to be reasonable. Arun Kumar (Arun), the nutritionist, was given the responsibility of bagging the order. How should he go ahead? Thus the case study is used to understand the Linear Programming model and its business applications.

Session: 23Case Study: Zhe Jiang Auto Works Inc.Abstracts: The case details the issues of a Hong Kong-based automobile firm Zhe Jiang Auto Works Inc. (Zhe Jiang). As the company was affected by various reasons, the CEO Chang-sun wants to go for insurance coverage. Even after deep discussion, the executive of the insurance company, Ka-Man Cheung (Cheung) is still not clear as to how to calculate the worth of each resource in order to calculate the premium amount. This case helps students discuss how to use Linear Programming model for decision dilemmas.